Kinky Bootsis a great show. With book by Harvey Fierstein and music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper, this broad romp about shoe manufacturing for a small niche, directed and choreographed with verve and lots of zip by Jerry Mitchell, is a hoot from start to finish.
Billy Porter as the lead transvestite fills the theater with his voice and radiance. Annaleigh Ashford’s performance, as a factory worker and the owner’s girlfriend wannabe, shows us a comedic gem (and fine singer) in a role that should be a breakthrough into stardom for her.
David Rockwell’s imaginative set is nicely lighted by Kenneth Posner, and Gregg Barnes’ fanciful costumes are a delight. The weak link for me is the young leading man, Stark Sands. I have this weird idea that people in a Broadway musical should really be able to sing. Sands is good looking, seems very pleasant and his acting is fine, but his singing doesn’t add up to Broadway for me. It’s on a rather level, not very musical, plane. However, Fierstein’s jokes and a great singing/dancing cast are so much fun that weaknesses fade out, leaving a great time to be had at Kinky Boots.
